Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed on 5/2/2023 + 1223 more book reviews

I think I'm hooked on the Parker series from Donald Westlake (aka Richard Stark). I finished reading the first book in the series, THE HUNTER, yesterday and immediately decided to read an online copy of the second book from the library. I read the entire next book in an afternoon and really enjoyed it. Parker is a great character although he is definitely a flawed character. Westlake is a favorite author of mine. I've read several of his Dortmunder series which I really enjoy although Dortmunder is really a completely different character from Parker. The Dortmunder novels are about a thief and his gang and include a lot of humor thrown in. On the other hand, the Parker novels written under the name Richard Stark are a lot more gritty and hard core.

This novel directly continues Parker's story after the events of THE HUNTER. At the end of that novel, Parker has really pissed off the syndicate or "The Outfit" and decides he needs to get a new face so he will not be easily recognized. He has plastic surgery done and is satisfied with his new look. Right away he is drawn into a caper to rob an armored car. The job has been set up by a waitress in a diner and Parker suspects a double cross in the works. And of course he is right but is able to wind up with half the loot which puts him back into his old mold. Except someone has killed the doctor who did his surgery and his cover and description may be broadcast back to the Outfit. In the last part of the story, one of the doctor's cohorts is trying to find out who killed him and Parker is at risk of exposure. So what is his next move? I guess I'll need to read the next book to find out! I'll definitely be looking forward to it.

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